Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Danforth experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 38.4 inches. The area receives 17.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 654 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-4°C)
July Average
74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
654 ft (199 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
1,290/sq mi
Coordinates
40.8220°N, 87.9778°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Iroquois County County
Nearest Airport
Vermilion Regional (DNV) 47 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall38.4"
1% above US avg
Snowfall17.1"
Wettest Month (May)4.02"
Driest Month (Jan)1.57"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
74.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
34.0 / 100
Community Resilience
65.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
Jun 28, 2004
12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois
M4.2
105 km
10 km
Jun 17, 2021
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.8
125 km
6 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
135 km
10 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
110 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
115 km
10 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
110 km
10 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
137 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
53 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
705 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 72 fatalities, 1,375 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
95 km
14.0 mi
3
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
80 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
94 km
3.3 mi
2
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
91 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
80 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
95 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
41 km
57.3 mi
1
Feb 28, 2017
EF3
99 km
11.5 mi
2
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
64 km
16.3 mi
0
Nov 17, 2013
EF3
67 km
29.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
33 km
7.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
70 km
8.6 mi
0
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
78 km
2.0 mi
1
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
87 km
4.0 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
85 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
86 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
25 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
96 km
27.4 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
95 km
22.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
31 km
38.5 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1954
MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN)
Avalanche
3.0 m
7
134 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2019
UNNAMED
1,741
64 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
62 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
39 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
61 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
63 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
63 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
63 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
63 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
63 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-4°C)
1.6 in
Coldest, Driest
February
28°F (-3°C)
1.6 in
March
39°F (4°C)
3.0 in
April
50°F (10°C)
3.7 in
May
62°F (16°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.9 in
July
74°F (23°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
72°F (22°C)
3.6 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.5 in
October
54°F (12°C)
2.7 in
November
41°F (5°C)
3.0 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.7 in
Danforth has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (1.6").